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Ways to Save Energy When Heating and Cooling Your Home

Your Baltimore-Washington, D.C. area home uses more energy and drains more energy dollars than any other appliance in your home. Typically, 45% or more of your utility bill goes for heating and cooling. No matter what kind of air-conditioning system you have in your house, you can save money and increase comfort by properly maintaining and upgrading your equipment.

Remember, though, an energy efficient air-conditioner alone will not have as great an impact on your energy bills as using the whole house approach to energy savings. By combining all of the tips such as proper equipment maintenance and upgrades with appropriate insulation, weatherization and thermostat setting, you can cut your energy bills in half.

Make energy efficiency a priority in selecting a new air conditioner or heat pump. If you use heating a lot then consider purchasing a heat pump. These provide three times more heating than the equivalent amount of energy they consume in electricity. Heat pumps actually collect heat from the outside air and transfer it for use on the inside. A heat pump can trim the amount of electricity you use for heating as much as 30% to 40%. The right choice means lower utility bills for years to come. When choosing a replacement system, look for the SEER rating to be 12 or more. SEER is the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating which rates the efficiency during the cooling season.

Sizing is another important factor to air conditioning. If the system is sized to small then the unit will run constantly. If the unit is sized too large, then the unit may not cycle long enough to pull all the humidity out of your house. We will provide a complimentary load calculation of your home and will take into account local temperatures, humidity, windows, level of ceiling insulation, the number and lifestyle of the occupants to assist you in selecting the proper sized air conditioning system..

The most economical operation of your system comes from setting the thermostat properly. Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible in the summer or the lowest winter setting at which you are comfortable. The less difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall utility bill will be. Don't set your thermostat at a colder temperature setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. It will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling and therefore unnecessary expense. Keep lamps and TV sets away from the thermostat. Install a programmable thermostat to maximize your energy savings without sacrificing comfort. These thermostats adjust the temperature setting for you. While you might forget to turn up the cooling before you leave for work in the morning, a programmable thermostat won't. You can save as much as 10% a year on your heating and cooling bills by simply turning your thermostat back 10% to 15% for 8 hours with an automatic setback or programmable thermostat.

The condenser coil (the unit outside your house) should be kept clean to ensure efficient operation. Often, the condenser coil becomes restricted by dirt, lint, paper, grass clippings, leaves, or other debris. Plant trees or shrubs to shade air conditioning units - but not to block airflow. A unit operating in the shade uses as much as 10% less electricity that the same one operating in the sun. Keep vents and grill unobstructed. Arrange your furniture and drapes so that all output vents and intake grills are free from obstruction to reduce the cooling and heating load on your system for more economical operation. Keep doors and windows properly sealed. It's also a good idea to check the weather strip around the door and make sure the windows fit tightly. This will reduce the heating load in the winter and cooling load in the summer, and your system will operate more economically as a result.

The easiest way to ensure your system operates efficiently and economically is by keeping the air filter clean. There are several types of air filters and several possible locations for the air filter. Ask one of our technicians where your air filter is located and which type of filter to use. You may consider upgrading your air filtration method to protect your equipment and relieve allergy symptoms.

Just as your automobile need regular maintenance so does your air conditioning system. Annual maintenance allows your system to work at peak efficiency year in and year out. A system that is maintained properly experiences considerably fewer breakdowns. And you'll enjoy the peace of mind in knowing that your system is saving you money on your utility bills every time it comes on. In some instances the energy savings are enough to pay the cost of the planned annual maintenance service.

Harvey Hottel is here to help! Ask us about our maintenance contract options, which can help prevent costly repairs and maintain the maximum efficiency of your system, saving you money on your gas and electric bills.

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